Single fastener plant support ring for use with a T-shaped or U-shaped upright post

Abstract

The present invention is a plant support ( 10 ) that can be used on either a T-shaped post or a U-shaped post. The support includes a ring ( 12 ) for supporting the plant and a latching section which engages the post. The height of the support on the post can be easily altered if the user so desires. The support ring may further include a removable arc ( 370 ) section to allow the support ring to be easily removed from around the plant.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A plant support device ( 10 ) for use with an upright post ( 92  or  96 ), having at least two spaced edges, said device comprising: 
       (a) at least one ring member ( 12 ), which defines an essentially vertical brace member ( 18 ), said brace member ( 18 ) having a protruding end ( 25 ) and a post end ( 23 );  
       (b) an essentially horizontal brim ( 14 ) extending from said post end ( 23 ) of said brace ( 18 ), said brim ( 14 ) including an aperture ( 30 ), having a ring edge ( 36 ) and a rear edge ( 39 ), through which said post can protrude thereby allowing said post to be encircled by said plant support device;  
       (c) at least one pair of semi-rigid brackets ( 32 R,  32 L) projecting from the ring edge ( 36 ) of said aperture ( 30 ) into said aperture, said brackets ( 32 R,  32 L) being positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post; and  
       (d) at least one pair of essentially vertical rear walls ( 34 R,  34 L) extending downwardly from the rear edge ( 39 ) of said aperture ( 30 ) so as to be essentially parallel with said brace ( 18 ), said rear walls ( 34 R,  34 L) preventing said support device from pivoting relative to said post.  
     
     
       2. The plant support device of  claim 1  wherein said ring member includes a removable arc segment ( 370 ). 
     
     
       3. The plant support device of  claim 1  wherein said brace member has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
       4. The plant support device of  claim 3  wherein said brace member has an internal diameter of from about three inches to about twenty inches. 
     
     
       5. The plant support device of  claim 1  wherein said brace member is tapered so as to have a longer length at the post end than at the protruding end. 
     
     
       6. The plant support device of  claim 1  further including a second pair of brackets ( 133 R,  133 L) projecting from the rear wall ( 134 R,  134 L) into said aperture, said brackets ( 133 R,  133 L) being positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post. 
     
     
       7. The plant support device of  claim 1  further including a plurality of tabs ( 378 ) projecting downwardly from said ring, said tabs facilitating the attachment of elastic support bands. 
     
     
       8. The plant support device of  claim 1  wherein said brim ( 314 ) is elongated so as to form a spacer ( 360 ) between said brace and said aperture. 
     
     
       9. The plant support device of  claim 8  further including at least one rib ( 362 ) to reinforce the spacer ( 360 ). 
     
     
       10. The plant support device of  claim 1  further including a dome ( 458 ), encircled by a flange ( 454 ), that can be reversibly affixed to said ring member to protect a plant from inclement weather. 
     
     
       11. The plant support device of  claim 1  further including an extension ring ( 580 ), that can be reversibly affixed to said ring member to provide an additional ring member for said support. 
     
     
       12. The plant support device of  claim 1  further including a wedge ( 650 ), that can be reversibly affixed to said ring edge to stabilize movement of said support on said upright post. 
     
     
       13. A plant support device ( 10 ) for use with an upright post, having at least two spaced edges, said device comprising: 
       (a) at least one ring member ( 12 ), which defines an essentially vertical brace member ( 18 ), said brace member ( 18 ) having a protruding end ( 25 ) and a post end ( 23 );  
       (b) an essentially horizontal brim ( 14 ) extending from said post end ( 23 ) of said brace ( 18 ), said brim ( 18 ) including an aperture ( 30 ), having a ring edge ( 236 ), a pair of first rear edges ( 238 R,  238 L), a pair of second rear edges ( 240 R,  240 L), and at least one pair of side edges ( 237 R,  237 L), through which said post can protrude thereby allowing said post to be encircled by said plant support device;  
       (c) at least one pair of semi-rigid brackets ( 250 R,  250 L) projecting from the ring edge ( 236 ) of said aperture ( 230 ) into said aperture ( 230 ), said brackets ( 250 R,  250 L) being positioned so as to align the upright post within the aperture;  
       (d) at least one pair of vertical stops ( 254 R,  254 L) projecting from the pair of first rear edges ( 238 R,  238 L) into said aperture ( 230 ), said stops ( 254 R,  254 L) terminating in a thumb-like projection directed toward the ring edge, and positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post; and  
       (e) at least one pair of essentially vertical rear walls ( 258 R,  258 L) extending downwardly from the pair of second rear edges ( 240 R,  240 L) so as to be essentially parallel with said brace ( 18 ), said rear walls preventing said support device from pivoting relative to said post.  
     
     
       14. The plant support device of  claim 13  further including a pair of side walls extending downwardly from the pair of side edges, said side walls further including a second pair of brackets projecting from the side walls into said aperture, said brackets being positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post. 
     
     
       15. The plant support device of  claim 13  wherein said ring member includes a removable arc segment ( 370 ). 
     
     
       16. The plant support device of  claim 13  wherein said brace member has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
       17. The plant support device of  claim 16  wherein said brace member has an internal diameter of from about three inches to about twenty inches. 
     
     
       18. The plant support device of  claim 13  wherein said brace member is tapered so as to have a longer length at the post end than at the protruding end. 
     
     
       19. The plant support device of  claim 13  further including a plurality of tabs ( 378 ) projecting downwardly from said ring, said tabs facilitating the attachment of elastic support bands. 
     
     
       20. The plant support device of  claim 13  wherein said brim is elongated so as to form a spacer ( 360 ) between said brace and said aperture. 
     
     
       21. The plant support device of  claim 20  further including at least one rib ( 362 ) to reinforce the spacer ( 360 ). 
     
     
       22. The plant support device of  claim 13  further including a dome ( 458 ), encircled by a flange ( 454 ), that can be reversibly affixed to said ring member to protect a plant from inclement weather. 
     
     
       23. A method of supporting a plant with an upright post which is securely mounted in ground comprising: 
       (a) encircling said plant within a ring member, which defines an essentially vertical brace member, said brace member having a protruding end and a post end;  
       (b) securing said ring member to an essentially horizontal and elongated brim extending from said post end of said brace, said brim including at least one aperture, having a ring edge, a pair of side edges, and a rear edge, through which an upright post can protrude, said brim further including at least one pair of semi-rigid brackets projecting from the ring edge of said aperture into said aperture, said brackets being positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post, and at least one pair of essentially vertical rear walls extending downwardly from the rear edge of said aperture so as to be essentially parallel with said brace; and  
       (c) passing said brim over said upright post such that the post projects through said aperture, and such that said brackets positively engage the spaced edges of said post, and such that the brim is prevented from pivoting relative to said post.